In an effort to educate and inspire the future cancer researchers of America, the American Association for Cancer Research is holding several programs for high school and undergraduate college students who are embarking on a career in science. This program, sponsored by the AACR Science Education Committee, will take place at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

‘The next generation of cancer researchers will come from these students,’ said Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (h.c.), chief executive officer of the AACR. ‘The AACR is committed to promoting the education and training of young students pursuing careers in science and cancer research.’

This multifaceted event consists of three unique opportunities:

AACR-Thomas J. Bardos Science Education Awards for Undergraduate Students 
Twenty talented, young students will be presented with the 11th Annual AACR-Thomas J. Bardos Science Education Awards for Undergraduate Students. This two-year award is supported by generous annual contributions from Thomas J. Bardos, PhD, a long-time, valued member of the AACR. Each student will receive complimentary registrations to attend the AACR Annual Meeting for two consecutive years and $3,000 to cover the cost of hotel accommodations, travel arrangements, and expenses for two annual meetings. Any remaining funds may be put toward continuing education efforts. The awardees will also receive multiple opportunities to present their abstracts during the conference.

Recipients of this year’s award must return to the AACR Annual Meeting next year to receive their prize for next year’s portion of the award. The 10 scholars who received awards last year will return to be honored and receive their award for 2009. Students will participate in a Bardos Meet and Greet and Awardees’ Luncheon at the conference.

The following students were selected by an AACR Awards Committee, chaired by Bardos, for the 2009-2010 time periods. Selection was based on a review of the student’s applications, referrals and personal statements.

2009-2010 Awardees

• Eric L. Abhold – University of California, San Diego, Calif. Abstract #4904. Epidermal growth factor receptor promotes acquisition of stem cell properties in cancer benign tumor cell lines
• Stephen A. Allsop – North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C. Abstract #4347. Pim kinases are potential molecular targets in K-Ras mediated transformation of pancreatic cancer
• Danielle S. Daniels – University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala.
• Caroline M. Garber – Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio Abstract #4531. Antitumor effects of N-heterocylic carbene silver acetate complexes compared to cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin
• Kelly A. Gewain – University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C. Abstract #3643. RhoGEF inhibitors: Identifying GTPase selectivity of potential molecularly targeted therapeutics
• Joanna Maya – Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, Ala. Abstract #4384. Regulation of expression and role of the pigment epithelium derived factor in Ras-mediated oncogenesis
• Tyler E. Miller – The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
• Rangarajan D. Nadadur – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. Abstract #3840. Expression of the metastatic prostate cancer biomarker miR-141 in prostate biopsy tissues
• Bianca S. Oliver – North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, N.C. Abstract #3270. DMBA-mediated survival signal: Via NF-KappaB regulation in non-transformed human mammary epithelial cells
• Wenhui Zhou – University of California, Davis, Calif. Abstract #1122. The role of ADAM8 in the regulation of pathological neovascularization and in the ectodomain shedding of receptors involved in this process

The Bardos Meet and Greet event will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Quartz A & B. The Bardos Awardees’ Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., also at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Agate B & C. These events are by invitation only.

4th Annual Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition 
The 4th Annual Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Centennial Hall F, G, and H. This event will provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to learn more about exciting research being conducted, to hear from investigators about educational pathways and career development and to explore various career options in the cancer field. Guest speakers for the Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition include:

• Marco Alcala, Jr., MD – University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Kimberly A. Brown, PhD – Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, N.Y.
• Carlos A. Casiano, PhD – Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, Calif.
• Donald S. Coffey, PhD – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
• Ahmara V. Gibbons – Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Brad Kubick – University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, Colo.
• Beverly Lyn-Cook, PhD – FDA National Center for Toxicologic Research, Jefferson, Ariz.
• Arti P. Varanasi, PhD – WESTAT, Inc., Rockville, Md.

In addition, students will present their own scientific abstracts and participate in the launch of the AACR-Gary J. Miller Undergraduate Prize for Cancer and Cancer Related Biomedical Research. The 1st place winner will receive a $1,500 award to help support hotel accommodations, travel arrangements, expenses, and participation in the AACR Annual Meeting 2010, to be held in Washington, D.C.; 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive monetary prizes.

High School Program: “The Conquest of Cancer and the Next Generation of Cancer Researchers” 
The AACR 10th Annual High School Program, ‘The Conquest of Cancer and the Next Generation of Cancer Researchers,’ will take place on Monday, April 20, 2009. This three-part program will provide high school students with a unique opportunity to learn about cancer from the experts, while interacting and learning from their peers.

Distinguished experts will present a series of lectures from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Rooms 505-507 of the Colorado Convention Center. Topics include understanding cancer, cancer control and prevention, career opportunities and why cancer research needs high school students. Guest speakers include:

• Frances R. Balkwill, PhD – Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London
• Donald S. Coffey, PhD – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md.
• L. Michael Glode, MD – University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, Colo.
• John M. Lehman, PhD – East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, N.C.
• Stacia Wagner, LSW – Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, Hoboken, N.J.

Students will then be matched with mentors to participate in a tour of exhibits and posters in the exhibit halls from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students will view state-of-the-art exhibit booths and scientific posters describing the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer. In the afternoon, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., the students will have the opportunity to participate in a networking luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Denver in Mineral Hall, where they can meet personally with leading scientists and participate in an Ask-the-Experts session.

Up to 250 students are expected to participate in the High School Program. Several students who have been personally affected by cancer and/or plan to pursue a career opportunity in science will be participants in this year’s program and are available for interview opportunities.

Release Date: April 14, 2009
Source: American Association for Cancer Research